Every once in a while, God and I, we converse. And it leaves me feeling so much more beautiful about the world. I carry Him with me through life, and He carries me through Life. We keep tangoing along…
Here is a recent conversation we had – when missiles were firing and fear gripped our hearts. When screams of people tore open Kashmir’s heart and I felt completely lost and floundering – trying to make sense. It healed me, this conversation. I wish it does something for you too.
Me: Why is there so much pain in life God? Why this senseless killing? Why?
God: Life is all about dualities, darling! Day will be followed by night, and dusk by dawn. It’s a design. So don’t ask why. But what you can do is – keep yourself on the sun shine side. Always.
Me: But we are all so inter-connected. Something tears at my heart when I see the suffering. I feel angry at the nameless, faceless people causing terror in the world. Yes, it is not my loved one who was shot in the head – but the fact that someone was, feels personal. I don’t know how to remain calm and happy when the world around me is burning.
God: Ah – but that’s the thing. You are inter-connected. In ways, you cannot even comprehend. It’s like the ocean and waves. The wave may feel it is its own person but where is it born from, and in what will it die? And because all of you are so inter-connected, even more reason that when everything around seems so wrong, you must still do what is right.
Me: But what is right? And what can I do? Anxiety and anger are gripping at my heart.
God: The war between dharma and adharma is not recent – it has been going on from eons. Like I said, duality is a part of nature itself. What is born, will die. The seasons will change. Everything will keep evolving. You – as a human can only ask yourself, which side are you standing for – light or dark? Good or bad? Right or wrong? And if you have chosen the first option – it is by standing for it, no matter what happens in the world outside that you will bring dignity to your life.
Me: I am honestly not sure what this means. Can you simplify please.
God: All it means is – when everything around goes wrong, and most of it seems out of your control – all you can do is become even more right. Meditate – deeper. Spread peace – more. Love – expressively. The more each person standing for dharma does this in their own space, the more energy will spread and bring about the shift. Anxiety and anger are both emotions of the lower vibrations and you can never raise your own vibrations or that of your near and dear ones, and eventually the world at large, by holding onto these.
Me: I get it, but it’s not easy. I mean my heart cries for the soldiers, for the people dying senselessly and I am filled with fear as to what will happen next.
God: I have created each of you to have two circles. One is your circle of influence. It is under your control, and you can do much here. Meditate – that is your choice. Spread peace – that is your choice. Love expressively – that is your choice.
What happens between the borders of two countries is not in your circle of influence. It is your circle of concern. But what happens in your home is. Can you become a more beautiful mother? Can you be an even more caring daughter? Can you take your gift of words to the world and use them to heal rather than indulge in senseless arguments which result in nothing but more hatred? All of these are under your control.
And here is the startling, brilliant revelation! The more and more you operate out of your circle of influence, the more it will keep growing. Soon more will be impacted, more will find peace in your presence, more will heed to your advice. And eventually your circle of influence will grow, to include your circle of concern. Sounds like magic, does it not!
For now, all you can do is – keep spreading good, in your circle of influence.
Me: But the circle of concern really concerns me… What should I do about it?
God: The name itself says it all. It is your circle of concern. You can do nothing about it. Nor can you speak to the government of your country or the Prime Minister or President of another. Neither can you reach the head of the army, nor go to the border and save anyone. Focusing on the circle of concern will only make you feel more concerned, anxious and helpless.
On the other hand, focusing on the circle of influence will make you feel peaceful, empowered and keep growing your energy to a point where one day, you could have a say in the matters of the country, or even the world, and influence it positively. Like I said above, your circle of influence will include your circle of concern.
Me: Sounds true and feels right. But honestly God, much easier said, than done.
God: When did I ever say it was easy? And yet – let me tell you this. It is deeply rewarding. When you do focus on what you can, it raises you up as a human, and humanity along with you. Because we are all inter-connected. You said so yourself. And you know this as an experience.
Play your role – by deeply rooting yourself in your faith. By meditating deeply, and sincerely. By doing your work like it is your prayer and spreading goodness to youth and people like you do. Be a mother where just seeing you, your daughter should never need a role model besides you. Be a spouse, where your husband finds a best friend at home. Be a daughter, where your father feels peaceful and secure in your presence.
And if you do, you are contributing towards world peace and harmony. It does not start at the border; it starts in every heart and home.
Me: I am feeling so much peace and power, God. Thank you so much for speaking to me, for making me understand. I will work on myself, my circle of influence. If I can not remove war from the world, at least let me remove it from my heart, my family. Let me do something.
God: Loving you so much! Love. Laugh. Live. Leave a legend. And all of this will create more ripples into the world than you can imagine. Begin where you can – with yourself. Even a little shift within your soul, even a little growth in your inner being, will lead to miracles in the world outside. Begin, my child, begin. With you. For that is the space where world peace begins.